2, 3-epithio-steroids and production thereof



United States Patent and production thereof. In the above Formula I, the ripple mark (i) represents aor B-configuration, R is hydrogen or methyl, Z is methylene, hydroxymethylene or carbonyl and Z is carbonyl or a group of the RI 5 in which R is lower alkyl, hydroxy, acyloxy, acetyl, hydroxyacetyl or acyloxyacetyl and R" is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, hydroXy or acyloxy. The acyl moiety in the said groups is preferably derived from carboxylic acids having from one to about twelve carbon atoms, conventionally employed in the steroid art, and having a molecular weight less than about 200. Representative of the acyl moiety which can be present are lower alkanoyl (e.g. formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutylryl, caproyl, heptanoyl, octanoyl, trimethylacetyl), lower alkenoyl (e.g. crotonoyl, undecenoyl), 'carboxy- (lower)alkanoyl (e.g. succinyl), cycloalkylflower) alkanoyl (e.g. B-cyclopentylpropionyl, fi-cyclohexylpropionyl), mono carbocyclic aroyl (e.g. benzoyl, p-toluyl, p-nitrobenzoyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl), monocarbocyclic aryl(lower)alkanoyl or alkenoyl (e.g. phenylacetyl, B-phenylpropionyl, cinnamoyl) and monocarbocyclic aryloxyflower) alkanoyl (e.g. p-chlorophenoxyacetyl).

It is a basic object of the present invention to embody 2,3-epithio-steroids of formula I. Another object of this invention is to embody steroids having specific physiological activities. A further object of the invention is to embody a process for converting 2,3-epoxy-steroids into 2,3-epithio-steroids. These and other objects will be apparent to those conversant with the art to which the present invention pertains from the subsequent description.

The process of the present invention is represented by the following formulae:

3,23,2l5 Patented Jan. 18, 1966 to give the corresponding 2,3-epithio-steroid (I).

ZB-thiocyanato-Sa-cholestan-3a-ol, ZB-thiocyanato-S a-methanesulfonyloxy-iu-cholestane, 2B-thiocyanato-3ot-benzenesulfonyloxy-5u-cholestane, 3a-thiocyanatO-Su-cholestan-ZB-ol, 2B-ethanesul-fonyloxy-3a-thiocyanato-S oc-cholestane, ZB-acetylthio-5a-cholestan-3 oz-Ol, 2fi-propionylthio-3wpropionyloxy-5a-cholestane, 3B-thiocyanatO-Sfl-chOlestan-Za-ol, 2or-thiocyanato-5 8-cholestan-3B-ol, 2a-acetylthio-3 3-acetyloxy-SB-cholestane, 2,8-thiocyanato-3a-hydroxy-5a-cholanic acid, methyl 2a-thiocyanto-35+acetyloxy-5/3-cholanate, 2a-ethoxythiocarbonylthio-3 3-acetyloxy-5a-estran-17,8-01, 2a-thiocyanato-3fi-methanesulfonyloxy-5a-estran-1713-01 17-acetate, 2a-thiocyanato-3,8-acetyloxy-5a-estran-175-01 17- propionate, 2p-thi0cyanato-3 a-hydroxy-5oc-androstan-17-0ne, 2B-acetyloxy-3a-thiocyanato-5a-androstan-17-one, ZB-p-toluenesulfonyloxy-3 ix-thiOcyanatQ-Sa-androstan- 17 -one, 2,8-thiocyanato-3a-methanesulfonyloxy-5a-androstan-17,8-

ol 17-acetate, 2a-acetyloxy-3fi-thiocyanato-Sfi-androstan-176-01 17- acetate, 2a-acetylthi0-3/3-acetyloxy-SB-androstan-175-01 17- propion-ate, 2fl-methanesulfonyloxy-3a-thiocyanato-Sa-andmstam 175-01 17-caprylate, 2,8-methanesulfonyloxy-3a-thiocyanato-5u-androstan- 17,6-01 l7-(5-phenylpropionate 2B-ethanesulfonyloxy-3a-thiocyanato-5u-androstan-17B- ol 17- lO-undeceno ate) 2or-thiocyanato-3fi-p-toluene-sulfonyloxy-Sfi-androstane- 11,17-dione, 2B-thiocyanato-3 a-hydroxy-5u-androstane-1 1,17 -dione, 2fi-methanesulfonyloxy-3 a-thiocyanato-17u-methyl-5aandrostan-17B-ol, 3a-thiocyanato-17u-ethyl-5a-androstane-2fi,17B-diol, 3a-thiocyansato-l7a-vinyl-5u-androstane-ZB,17 3-diol, 3a-thiocyanato-l7a-ethynyl-5a-androstane,Zp,17fi-diol, ZB-thiocyanato-B a-hydroxy-5u-pregnan-ZO-Qne, 2,8-methanesulfonyloxy-3a-thiocyanato-5a-pregnan- 20-one, 2,8-acetyloxy-3a-acetylthio-5a-pregnan-2( -one, Zfl-acetyloXy-Sa-thiocyanato-5m-pregn-ane-1 1,20-dione, 2fi-methanesulfonyloxy-3oc-thiocyanato-17a,21-dihydroxy- Sa-pregnane-l 1,20-dione, 25,1 1,8-dihydroxy-3a-thiocyanato-Sa-pregnan-ZO-One, etc.

According to the process of the present invention, the starting material (II or III) is treated with a basic agent AS the basic agent, there may be employed a weak base such as alumina or a strong base such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Other basic agents such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate may be also employed. The reaction temperature may be adapted to the starting material and the basic agent employed. For the production of the objective compound in a good yield, it is generally preferred to carry out the reaction in an inert solvent medium (e.g. methanol, ethanol, propanol, ben- Zene, toluene, petroleum ether, diglyme (diethyleneglycol) dimethyl ether)) under a relatively mild condition, i.e. at a temperature not higher than C.

The configuration of the epithio group in the thusproduced 2,3-epithio-steroid (I) corresponds to that of the sulfur-containing group in the starting steroid. Specifically, the 2,3-epithio-steroids include 2B,3[3-epithio-5a-eholestane,2a,3a-epithio-5a-cholestane, 25,35-epithio-5a-cholanic acid,

methyl 2u,3a-epithio-Sfi-cholanate, 2u,3or-epithio-5a-estran-175-01, 20,3a-epithio-5m-estran-17B-ol l7-acetate, 2,3a-epithio-5rx-estran-1713-01 l7-propionate, 25,3,B-epithio-h-androstan-17-one, 2u,3a-epithio-Su-androstan-17-one, 25,35-epithio-Sa-androstan-17/3-01 17-acetate, 2,8,3B-epithio-SB-androstan,175-01 17-:acetate, 2a,3a-epithio-5fi-androstan-17,6-01 17-propionate, 2u,3a-epithio-5a-androstan-17fi-ol 17-caprylate, 204,3a-epithio-5a-androstan-17,8-01 17-(fl-phenylpropionate 204,3a-epithio-Su-androstan-17,8-01 17 IO-undecenoate 211,3 m-epithio-SB-androstane l1,17-dione, 2B,3/3-epithio-5a-androstane-11,l7-dione, 2a,3u-epithio-l7a-methyl-5a-androstan-17,8-01, 2m,3o-epithio-17a-ethyl-5a-androstan-17 8-01, 2u,3a-epithio-17ot-vinyl-5a-androstan-175-01, 20,3a-epithio-l7a-ethynyl5a-androstan-175-01, 2,6,3fii-epithio-5a-pregnan-20-one, 2a,3u-epithiO-Sa-pregnan-ZO-one, 2u,3u-epithio-5a-pregnane-1 1,20-dione, 2a,3u-epithio-17u,2l-dihydroxy-5u-pregnane-11,20-dione, etc.

The 2,3-epithio-steroid (I) prepared by the present process exhibits specific physiological activities. For instance, 213,3B-epithio-5u-androstan-1713-01 17-acetate produces marked inhibition of gonadotropin secretion at a total dose of 10 milligrams with the manifestation of slight androgenic response in the test using mice. Further, for instance, 2a,3a-epithio 5oz androstan-17/3-ol 17-acetate produces marked inhibition of gonadotropin hypersecretion at a dose of not more than 0.1 milligram with concomitant androgenic response in the test using mice. This steroid also produces the complete block of ova-implantation, when subcutaneously administered to rats from the first day of pregnancy for 6 days at a dose of 1 milligram per day. This steroid also shows a favorable ratio of myotropic activity to androgenic activity, when orally administered to rats. Furthermore, for instance, 20:,3uepithio-17u-methy1-5u-androstan-175-01 produces potent myotropic and androgenic activities with a favorable myotropic/ androgenic ratio by the oral administration to rats. The other disclosed 2,3-epithio-steroids show similar physiological activities.

The products of the present invention are useful as, for instance, controlling agents for disease of menopause, ovulation-inhibition agents, controlling agents for hypergonadism or precocious puberty, and as anabolic agents.

The following examples represent presently-preferred embodiments of the present invention, but'it is to be understood that the examples are given by way of illustra t-ion only and not of limitation. The relationship of parts by Weight to parts by volume is the same as that between grams and milliliters. Temperatures are set forth in de grees centigrade.

Example 1.Preparatin of 2B,3B-epithi0-5a-ch0lestane NOS- HO-- I A solution of 2,6-thiocyanato-5a-cholestan-3a-ol (2.27 parts by weight) and potassium hydroxide (5 parts by weight) in ethanol (100 parts by volume) is refluxed for 30 minutes. To the reaction mixture, there is added water. The precipitate is collected by filtration and crystallized from a mixture of ether and acetone to give 25,3,3-epithio-5a-cholestane (2.07 parts by weight) as scales melting at 120 to 122 C.

UV: A352? 262 my (6: 48).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H S: C, 80.52; H, 11.51; S. 7.96. Found: C, 80.73; H, 11.55; S, 7.89.

The starting material of this example, Zfl-thiocyanato- 5a-cholestan-3u-ol, can be prepared by reacting 211,300- epoxy-5m-cholestane [Striebel et al.: Helv. Chim. Acta, vol. 37, page 1094 (1954)] with an etheral solution of 'thiocyanic acid at room temperature.

Example 2.Preparati0n of 2a,3ot-epithi0-5a-ch0lestane A solution of 3a.-thiocyanato-5a-eholestan-2/8-ol (1.70 parts by weight) and potassium hydroxide (1.5 parts by weight) in methanol (40 parts by volume) is refluxed for 10 minutes. To the reaction mixture, there is added water. The precipitate is collected by filtration and crystallized from acetone to give 2a-3a-epithio-5a-cholestane (1.25 parts by weight) as needles melting at 123 to 124 C.

UV: R322? 262 m (e248) Aanlysis.-Calcd. for C l-I 8: C, 80.52; H, 11.51, S, 7.96. Found: C, 8.85; H, 11.46; S, 7.71.

The starting material of this example, Sa-thiQcyanatd Sa-cholestan-Zfi-OI, can be prepared by reacting 2B,3B epoxy-5a-cho1estane [Corey: J. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 75,

page 4832 (1953)] with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid at room temperature.

Nos-- Example 3.Prepamtion of 213,3,6-epithio-Su-cholestane A solution of 2B-acetylthi0-3a-acetyloxy-5a-oholestane (0.60 part by weight) and potassium hydroxide ('1 part. by weight) in methanol parts by volume) is refluxed for 1 0 minutes. To the reaction mixture, there is added 0113c os-p CHaCOO-- Example 4.Preparati0n of 25,3fi-epithio-Soz-androstan- 1 7B-0l 1 7-acetate OCOCH:

NOS-

omsmo cm i i A solution of 2,3 thiocyanato-3a-methanesulfonyloxy- 5a-androstan-l7 3-ol 17-acetate (2.29 parts by weight) in a mixture of petroleum ether and benzene [4:1] (50 parts by volume) is treated with alumina (70 parts by weight) and allowed to stand for 48 hours at room temperature (around 15 C.). The eluate with benzene is evaporated to dryness and the residue (1.69 parts by Weight) is crystallized from ethanol to give ZflJB-epithio-Sot-androstam 173-01 17-acetate (1.41 parts by Weight) as scales melting at 162 to 164 C. [(11 +21.4:2 (in chloroform).

UV: xii? 263 In (e: 49). IR: 31? 1730, 1247 cm.-

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O S: C, 72.36; H, 9.25; S, 9.20. Found: C, 72.39; H, 9.42; S, 8.92.

The starting material of this example, 2,8-thi0cyanato- 3oz methanesulfonyloxy-Sa-androstan-17 3-ol 17 acetate, can be prepared by reacting 2a,3uepoxy5a-androstan 17fl-ol 17-acetate [1. Fajkos et al.: Chem. Abstracts, vol. 53, page 5342 (1959)] with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid at room temperature, followed by reacting the resultant 2 3 thiocyanato-Sa-androstane-Ba,17,8 diol 17- acetate with metihanesulfionyl chloride in pyridine at a temperature between 0 and 10 C.

Example 5.-Preparation of 2fififi-epithi0-5a.-androstan- 17,8-01 17-acetate OCOCH:

OCOCH;

A solution of 2p thiocyanato-3u-methanesulfonyloxy- 5ot-androstan-l7fi-ol 17-acetate (0.97 part by weight) and potassium hydroxide (1 part by weight) in diglyme (20 parts by volume) is stirred for 48 hours at room temperature (around 15 C.). To the reaction mixture, there is added water whereby crystals are precipitated. The crystals are collected by filtration, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethanol to give 2,8,3,B-epithio- 5u-androstan17fi-ol 17-acetate (0.50 part by weight) as plates melting at 156 C. The ethano-lic mother liquor is clhromatographed on alumina. The eluate with a mixture of benzene and petroleum ether [1:4] is evaporated to dryness whereby the additional product (0.05 part by Weight) is obtained. This additional product is combined together with the previously obtained product and recrystallized from ethanol to give pure crystals melting at 162 to 164 C.

Example 6.Preparatin of 25,3fl-epz'thi0-5aandrostan-I 75-01 OCOCH:

NOS-

Example 7.Preparati0n 0f 2a,Sa-epithi0-5u-andr0stan- 17 8-01 17-acetate OCOOHa NUS-- A solution of 2/3-methanesulfonyloxy-3a-thiocyanato- 5a-androstan-17p-ol 17-acet-ate (1.79 parts by weight) and potassium hydroxide (1.5 parts by weight) in diglyme (36 parts by volume) is stirred for 41.5 hours at room temperature (around C.). To the reaction mixture, there is added water, and the resultant mixture is shaken with chloroform. The chloroform layer is washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue (1.2 parts by weight) is chromatographed on alumina. The eluates with petroleum ether and a mixture of benzene and petroleum ether [1:9] are avaporated and crystallized from methanol to give 2a,?)oc-cPithiO-Sa-andtOSttn- 175-01 l7-acetate (0.19 part by weight) as plates melting 8 at 144 to 145 C. [a] +22.0 (c.=1.102 in chloroform).

UV: A332 207 m (e: 2070), 264 In (6; 53). v,.f 1735, 1243 cm.

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O S: C, 72.38; H, 9.26; S, 9.19. Found: C, 72.55; H, 9.24; S, 9.14.

The above alumina is then eluted with benzene and the eluate is evaporated to dryness. The residue is crystallized from acetone to give 2a,?)oc-fipithiO-Sa-tlndI'OStfln-1713-01 (0.53 part by weight) as prisms melting at 123 to 125 C. This substance is acetylated by heating with a mixture of pyridine and acetic anhydride for 2 hours to give the additional amount (0.46 part by weight) of 2a,3oc CPlthlO-SOz-aIIdIOStZH-17,5-01 17-acetate.

The starting material of this example, 25-methanesulfonyloxy 3a-thiOcyanatO-Sa-androstan-l7,8-01 17-acetate, can be prepared by reacting 2fi,3B-epoxy-5u-androstan-17fi-ol 17-acetate [J. Fajkos et al.: Chem. Abstracts, vol. 53, page 5343 (1959)] with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid at room temperature, followed by reacting the resultant 3a-thiocyanato-Sa-andmstane-2,B,175- diol 17-acetate with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine at a temperature between 0 and 10 C.

Example 8.--Preparati0n of 2u,3a-epithio-5a-androstan- 17,8-01 17-acetate OOOCH:

I (,0 .ZZTQQ A solution of 3a-thiOcyana-to-Swandrostane-2/3,17,8-dio1 17-acetate (0.30 part by weight) and potassium carbonate (1.5 parts by Weight) in methanol (30 parts by volume) is allowed to stand at room temperature (around 15 C.) overnight. After addition of Water to the reaction mixture, the precipitated crystals are collected by filtration, washed with water and dried to give 2a,3oc-pitl1iO-5ocandrostan-l7 3-ol (0.27 part by weight). This substance is acetylated by allowing to stand with a mixture of pyridine and acetic anhydride at room temperature overnight. The resultant mixture, after the addition of water thereto, is shaken with ether. The ether extract is washed with water and dried, and the solvent removed. The residue is crystallized from methanol to give 2a,3a-epithio-5uandr0stan-17,8-ol 17-acetate (0.21 part by weight) as plates melting at 144 to 145 C.

Example 9.-Preparati0n of 2 3a-epithiO-Sa-andrmtan- OCOCH2CH2 ZB-methanesulfonyloxy-BwthiOcyanatO-Sa androstan- 17,8-01 17-propionate is treated with potassium hydroxide in diglyme as in Example 7 to give 2a,3aBpiihlO-5a and-rostan-UB-ol 17-propionate as crystals melting at 142 to 143 C. [a] +23.Zi2 (c.=1.0394 in chloroform).

IR: viii? 1723 cm.

OCO(CH2)aC 3 Zfl-methanesulfonyloxy-3cz-thiocyanatO-Sa androstan- 176-01 17-caprylate is treated with potassium hydroxide in diglyme as in Example 7 to give 2a,3m-epithio-5aandrostan-17fi-ol 17-caprylate as scales melting at 100 to 101.5 C. [u] +l6.2i2 (c.=1.006 in chloroform).

IR: p313? 1729, 1179 cm.-

Analysis.-Calcd. fOI' (3271 1440281 C, H, S, 7.41. Found: C, 74.93; H, 10.17; S, 7.33.

The starting material of this example, 2,8-methanesulfonyloxy-3ot-thiocyanato-5a-androstan-17 3-01 17-caprylate, can be prepared by acylating 25,3,6-epoxy-5u-androstan- 175-01 with caprylyl chloride in pyridine to 2,3,313-epoxy- SOC-EHdI'OStQJl-17I3-O] 17-caprylate and reacting the latter with thiocyanic acid in ether, followed by reacting the resultant 3a-thiocyanato 5ot-androstane 213,17B-di0l 17- caprylate with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine.

Example 11 .Prepara ti0n 0 f 21x3 a-epiIhiO-Sot-andmstan- 1 7B-0l 1 7-(,B-phenylpropionate) 5O CHZCH C E i Cl NOS 2/3-methanesulfonyloxy-3u thiocyanato-5a-androstan- 17 9-01 17-(fi-phenylpr0pionate) is treated with potassium hydroxide in diglyme as in Example 7 to give 20:,3a-8PiihlO-Szx androsten-17fl-ol 17-(5 phenylpropionate) as needles melting at 148 to 149 C. [u] -1-35.7i2 (c.=1.038 in chloroform).

IR: 1732, 1606, 1498, 1175, 755, 699 cm.

Analysis.Calcd. for C I-1 0 5: C, 76.66; H, 8.75; S, 7.31. Found: C, 76.87; H, 8.81; S, 7.33.

The starting material of this example, ZQ-methanesulfonyloxy-Sa-thiocyanato-5a-androstan-17 8-01 17-({3-phenylpropionate), can be prepared by acylating 2,8,313-epoxy- 5a-androstan-17fi-ol with fi-phenylpropionyl chloride in pyridine to 2,8,3fi-epoxy-M-androstam17,8-ol 17-(fl-phenylpropionate) and reacting the latter with thiocyanic acid in ether, followed by reacting the resultant 3a-thiocyanato- 5a-androstane-2fi,17fl-diol 17-(fl-phenylpropionate) with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine.

Example 12.Preparati0n of 20,3a-61Jithi0-5 ocandrostan-I 75-01 1 7- (1 O-undecenoate) 25-methanesulfonyloxy 30c thiocyanato-5u-androstan- 1718-01 17-(10-undecenoate) is treated with potassium hydroxide in diglyme as in Example 7 to give 2u,3u-epithio- 50:. androstan 1713-01 17 (IO-undecenoate) as crystals melting at 83.5 to C.

Analysis-Cami for C H O S: C, 76.22; H, 10.23; S, 6.78. Found: C, 76.26; H, 10.25; S, 6.84.

The starting material of this example, Zfl-methanesulfonyloxy-h-thiocyanato Sea-androstan-Ufl-ol 17-(lO-undecenoate), can be prepared by acylating 23,33-epoxy- 5a-androstan-17fi-ol with IO-undecenoyl chloride in pyridine to 213,3,3-ep0xy-5a-androstan-17,8-01 17-(10-undecen- Example 13.Preparation of 20:,3oc-8Pithi0-1 7 amethyl-a-androstan-l 7 B-ol OHaSOgO NOS-- To a suspension of 2fi-methansulfonyloxy-3a-thiocyanato-17w methyl-5a androstan 1713-01 (2.15 parts by weight) in a mixture of diglyme (50 parts by volume) and tetrahydrofuran parts by volume), there is added a solution of potassium hydroxide (2.5 parts by weight) in water (4 parts by volume), and the resultant solution is stirred overnight at room temperature (around C.). To the reaction mixture, there is added water, and the resultant mixture is shaken with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane layer is washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue is chromatographed on alumina (35 parts by weight). The eluates with a mixture of petroleum ether and benzene (1:2), benzene and a mixture of benzeneand ether (95:5) are combined together, concentrated and crystallized from aqueous acetone to give 206,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17,8- 01 (0.91 part by weight) as needles melting at 168 to 169 C. [a] +3.4i2 (c.=1.045 in chloroform).

IR: 1123? 3356 cm? Analysis.-Calcd. for C H OS: C, 74.94; H, 10.06; S, 10.00. Found: C, 75.11; H, 10.17; S, 9.86.

The starting material of this example, ZB-methanesulfonyloxy-3a thiocyanato-17ot-methyl-5a androstan-17,B- 01, can be prepared by treating 2a-bromo-17a-methyl-17B- hydroxy-5a-androstan-3-one [Counsell et al.: J. Org. Chem., vol. 27, page 248 (1962)] with lithium tri-t-butoxy aluminum hydride, treating the resultant product was potassium hydroxide in isopropanol, treating the resulting 213,313-epoxy-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17,8-01 with thiocyanic acid in ether and treating the resultant ZB-hydroxy- 3a-thiocyanato 17a-methy1 5ot-androstan 1713-01 with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine.

Example 14.Preparation of 2a,3u-epithi0 1 7a-ethyl-5a-andr0stan-17,8-0l

To a solution of 3oc-thiocyanato-17a-ethyl-5a-androstane-2,8,17/3-diol (3.74 parts by weight) in dioxane (60 .parts by volume), there are added a solution of potassium 12 carbonate (5.5 parts by weight) in water (30 parts by volume) and methanol parts by volume, and the resulting mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature (around 15 C.). The reaction mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure and water added thereto. The precipitate is collected by filtration, crystallized from a mixture of ether and petroleum ether and recrystallized from a mixture of acetone and hexane to give 2a,3a-pithio-l7a-ethyl-5a-androstan-175-01 (2.49 parts by weight) as crystals melting at 146 to 148 C. [u] +8.5:2 (c.=1.029 in chloroform).

IR: $3? 3660, 3630 cm.

Analysis.Calcd. for C H OS: C, 75.39; H, 10.24; S, 9.58. Found: C, 75.52; H, 10.35; S, 9.74.

The starting material of this example, 3a-thiocyanato- 17a-ethyl-5a-androstane-2fi,17,8-diol, can be prepared by reacting 2/5,3,8-epoxy-5a-androstan-l7-one [1. Fajkos et al.: Chem. Abstracts, vol. 53, page 5343 (1959)] with potassium acetylide in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and ether at a room temperature, reducing catalytically the result-ant 25,36 epoxy 17a-ethynyI-Sa-androstan-17,8-01- using palladium-calcium carbonate in ethyl acetate and reacting the resulting 2B,3B-epoxy-17u-ethyl-5ot-androstan- 17,6-01 with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid at room temperature.

NOS-- 3a-thiocyanato-17-u-vinyl-5a-androstane-2fl,17B diol is treated with potassium carbonate in a mixture of dioxane and water as in Example 14 to give 2a,3OL'eplthlO-17(X- vinyl-5a-androstan-176-01 as crystals melting at 136 to 138 C. [u] +17.5 *:Z (c.=1.043 in chloroform). IR: 1123;? 3348, 3088, 1642, 1014, 924, 910 cm.-

Analysis.Calcd. for C H OS: C, 75.85; H, 9.70; S, 9.64. Found: C, 75.98; H, 9.80; S, 9.86.

The starting material of this example, 3u-thiocyanato- 17u-vinyl-5a-andrOstane-LB,l7B-diol, can be prepared by reducing catalytically 26,3,8-epoxy-l7a-ethynyl-5zx-androstan-17,6-ol using Lindlar catalyst in ethyl acetate and reacting the resulting 2,8,3fi-epoxy-17a-vinyl-5a-androstan- 1713-01 with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid at room temperature.

Example 16.Preparati0n 0f 2u,3a-epithi0-17ot-ethynyl- 5 a-wndrostan-l 7fi-0l 13 3a-thiocyanato-17a-ethynyl-5a-androstane-Zfi,17/3 diol is treated with potassium carbonate in a mixture of dioxane and water as in Example 14 to give 2a.,3cL-8Plihi0- 17a-ethynyl-5a-androstan-175-01 as crystals melting at 177 to 178 C. [a] 19.0 i2 (c.=1.038 in chloroform).

IR: 1%.??? 3405, 3294, 1047 cm.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H OS: C, 76.31; H, 9.15; S, 9.70. Found: C, 76.38; H, 9.00; S, 9.79.

The starting material of this example, 3u-thiocyanato- 17a-ethynyl'5a-androstane-2 8,17 8-diol, can be prepared by reacting 25,3,8-epoxy-17a-ethynyl-5a-androstan-1718-01 with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid at room temperature.

Example 17.Preparatin of 201,3a-EpiiltiO-5a-Hndf05l6tl1- A solution of 2,3-p-toluenesulfonyloXy-3m-thiocyanato- 5a-androstan-17-one (1.98 parts by weight) and potassium hydroxide (1.5 parts by weight) in diglyme (40 parts by volume) is stirred for 48 hours at room temperature (around 15 C.). To the reaction mixture, there is added water, and the resultant mixture is shaken with a mixture of ether and chloroform. The organic solvent layer is washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue (1.41 parts by weight) is crystallized from methanol to give 2u,3a-epithio 5a-androstan-17-one (1.18 parts by Weight) as needles melting at 107 to 108 C. [a] +107.1 i2" (c.=1.023 in chloroform).

IR: 1123i? 17-12 cm,-

Analysis.-Calcd. for C I-1 08: C, 74.94; H, 9.21; S, 10.53. Found: C, 74.64; H, 9.33; S, 10.42.

The said 2a,3e-epithio-5a-androstan-17-one is also prepared from 2a,3a-epithio-Sa-androstan-I718-ol by oxidizing the latter with chromium troxide in pyridine at room temperature (around 15 C.) for about 20 hours.

The starting material of this example, 2 9-p-toluenesulfonyloxy-3a-thiocyanato-Sa-androstan-17-0ne, can be prepared by reacting 2;8,3B-epoxy-5ot-androstan-17-one [1. Fajkos et al.: Chem. Abstracts, vol. 53, page 5343 (1959)] with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid at a room temperature, followed by reacting the resultant 2,8-hydroxy- 3a-thiocyanatO-Sa-andwstan-l7-one with p-toluenesultonyl chloride in pyridine at a temperature between 0 and 10 C.

Example l8.-Preparati0n of 25,3f3-epithio-5or-androstan- NOS- CHaEOzO 14 with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid at room temperature, followed by reacting the resultant Zp-thioeyanato-3a-hydroxy-Sa-androstan-l7-one with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine at a temperature between 0 and 10 C.

Example 19.-Preparati0n 0f 2a,3 x-epithi0-5a-estran- 17B-0l 17-acetate O COCH:

NOS

CHsSOgO- 2a-thiocyanato-3/3-methanesulfonyloxy-5ot-estran-17fi-ol 17-acetate is treated with potassium hydroxide in diglyme as in Example 17 to give 201,3a-epithiO-Sa-estran-173-01 17-acetate.

The starting material of this example, 2a-thiocyanato- 3,8-methanesulfonyloxy-5ct-estran-1713-01 17-acetate, can be prepared by treating 2,8-bromo-l7fi-acetyloxy-5a-estran 3-one {Djerassi et al.: J. Am, Chem. Soc., vol. 81, page 2386 (1959)] with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid in the presence of an alkali, reducing the resultant 2athiocyanato-17B-acetyloxy-5westran-3-one with lithium tri-t-butoxy aluminum hydride and treating the resulting la-thiocyanato-Sa-estrane-Bfi,1713-diol 17 acetate with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine.

Example 20.Preparati0n of 2a,5'a-epithio-5 pregnan- ZU-One CH CH HO S NOS-- To a solution of 25-hydroxy-3a-thioCyanatO-Sareg nan-20-one (3.00 parts by weight) in dioxane (50 parts by volume), there are added a solution of potassium car bonate (4.0 parts by weight) in water (20 parts by volume) and methanol (50 parts by volume), and the resultant mixture is stirred at room temperature (around 15 C.) overnight. Then, the reaction mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure and water added there to. The precipitate is collected by filtration, washed with water, dried and crystallized from a mixture of dichloromethane and acetone to give 2u,3a-epithio-5a-pregnan 20 one (1.60 parts by weight) as crystals melting at 163 to 165 C. [a] +112.6 -2 (c.=1.027 in chloroform).

IR: vigil? 1703 cm.

Analysis.Calcd. for C H OS: C, 75.86; H, 9.70; S. 9.62. Found: C, 75.62; H, 9.61; S, 9.83.

The starting material of this example, Zfi-hydroxy- 3a-thiocyanato-ia-pregnan-ZO-one, can be prepared by reacting 5a-pregn-2-en-20-one [1. v. Euw et al.: Helv. Chim. Acta, vol. 45, page 224 (1962)] with N-bromoacetamide and perchloric acid in dioxane, treating the resultant 2,8-hydroxy-3a-bromo-5a-pregnan-20-one with potassium hydroxide in isopropanol and treating the resulting 2B,3B-epoxy-5a-pregnan-20-one with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid.

Example 21.Preparatin of 2a,3a-epithio-Sa-pregnane- 11,20-di0ne 2 ,B-hydroxy-I: a-thioCyanato-Swpregnane-11,20-dione is treated with potassium carbonate in a mixture of dioxane, Water and methanol as in Example 20 to give 20:,3aepithio-a-pregnane-l l,2O-di0r1e,

The starting material of this example, Zfi-hydroxy-Sathiocyanato-5u-pregnane-11,20-dione, can be prepared by reacting Sa-pregn-Z-ene-l1,20-dione [W. Nagata et al.: Helv. Chim. Acta, vol. 42, page 1399 (1959)] with N-bromoacetamide and perchloric acid in dioxane, treating the resultant 2fl-hydroxy-3a-bromo-5a-pregnane- 11,20-dione with potassium hydroxide in isopropanol and treating the resulting 25,35-epoxy-5a-pregnane-l1,20- dione with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid.

NOS-- Example 22.Preparati0n of 20,3a-81JithiO-1 1 ,fi-hydroxy 5 a-pregnan-ZO-one CH CH3 #0 l lfi T IQ HO- Nos-- l s I nan--one with an etheral solution of thiocyanic acid.

Example 23.Preparation of 2a,3a-epithi0-5u-pregnan- 20-one (EH3 $113 C 0 Cl 0 A solution of 2B-methanesulfonyloxy-3a-thiocyanatd 5a-pregnan-20-one (5.50 parts by weight) in tetrahydrofuran parts by volume) is combined with potassium hydroxide (5.50 parts by weight) and isopropanol (10 parts by volume), and the resultant mixture is stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature (around 15 C.). The reaction mixture is combined with water. The precipitate is collected by filtration, washed wth water, dried and crystallized from a mixture of dichlorornethane and acetone to give 204,3a-epithio-Sa-pregnan-ZO-One (2.06 parts by Weight) as crystals melting at 163 to 165 C.

The starting material of this example, ZB-methanesulfonyloxy-3u-thiocyanatO-Su-pregnan-ZO-One, can be prepared by reacting 2fi-hydroxy-3a-thiocyanato-5apregnan-ZO-one with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine.

In the similar manner, there are produced various 2,3- epithio-steroids: e.g.

alkanoate What is claimed is: 1. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula:

wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, Z is a member selected from the group consisting of methylene, hydroxymethyl ene and carbonyl, Z is a member selected from the group consisting of carbonyl,

I IJCHa 0...]1

\ CHa H O OOH (i) C 0 lower alkyl 17 18 ocomwer alkenyl 12. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula: /C H (3H -lower alkyl O lower alkylene phenyl 5 3mg 00 CH s a a a i H 003E201; wherein the ripple mark (5) is a generic indication of ozand fi-configurations. 13. 2a,3a-epithio-l7a-rnethyl-5a-andr0stan-175-01.

14. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula:

OII

-lower alkenyl (HI j C lower alkyl I S OH 11 i H C---lower alkenyl wherein the ripple mark (2) is a generic indication of uand and B-configurations.

15. 2u,3a-epithio-l7a-vinyl-5a-androstan-17 8-01.

R 16. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula: C lower alkynyl on --1 1k 1 and the ripple mark (5) is a generic indication of oz- Owera sny and B-configurations.

2. A 2,3-epithio-steroicl of the formula:

i 1 I 40 g wherein the ripple mark (3) is a generic indication of uand fi-configurations.

l7. 2a,3a-epithio-l7a-ethynyl-5a-androstan-175-01. 18. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula:

wherein the ripple mark (5) is a. generic indication of ati and ,B-configurations.

3. 2a,3a-epithio-Sa-androstan-l75-01. 4. 25,3;8-epithio-5a-androstan-17 8-01.

5. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula:

r s O-ncyl l1 H 1 a wherein the ripple mark (i) is a generic indication of caand fi-configurations.

19. 2a,3a-epithio-5a-androstan-l7-one. 20. 2 8,35-epithio-5a-androstan-l7-one.

21. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula:

wherein the acyl moiety is a carboxylic acyl radical having from one to twelve carbon atoms and a molecular 5 weight less than about 200, and the ripple mark (i) is a i generic indication of 11- and [EB-configurations. I

6. 2:1,3a-epithio-5a-andr0stan-17fi-0l 17-acetate.

7. 20:,3a-epithio-5a-androstan-l7 3-0l-l7-pr0pionate. J; 8. 21x3a-epithio-ia-anclrost an-l7fi-ol-l7-capryl-ate. s l

9. 2a,3a epithio 5a-androstan-176-ol-l7-( 3-phenylpropionate) iii. 201,30 epithio-h-androstan 175-01 17 (l0-undecanoate). wherein the ripple mark (3) is a generic indication of a- 11. 25,3;3-epithio-5a-androstan-1718-01 17-acetate. and fl-configurations.

23. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula:

CH3 (:10 I IQ S 1 wherein the ripple mark is a generic indication of ozand Si-configurations.

20 24. A 2,3-epithio-steroid of the formula:

wherein the ripple mark (2) is a generic indication of on- IF and fi-configurations.

25. A 2,3-epithio-ster0id of the formula:

CH3 (":0 1/\I:

wherein the ripple mark (2) is a generic indication of aand B-configurations.

No references cited.

LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A 2,3-EPITHIO-STEROID OF THE FORMULA: 